Eugene D. Bernath, age 82 years, of Wauseon, went to be with his Heavenly Father early Sunday morning, June 21, 2015 (Father's Day). He was born February 19, 1933 in Wauseon, the son of Donald and Ruth (Hahn) Bernath and married Delores (Gerken) on November 7, 1954. Eugene grew up on the family farm and continued the farming operation with his sons, growing grain crops, specialty crops such as potatoes, melons, cabbage, tomatoes, raising hogs, and operating a wholesale produce business until his retirement. He was a faithful student of the Word and a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church, serving in several capacities as Sunday School teacher, elder, committee chairman, member of the bell choir, Walther League, and delegate of the Ohio District LCMS. He was a leader in creating the Luther Mission Society and an active member of Gideons International. He was a former member and President of the Board of Directors of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank. He earned his FFA American Farmer Degree, was a 4-H Advisor of the Tedrow Thrifty Farmers and a member of the Fulton County Farm Bureau. He enjoyed reading, playing softball, roller skating, and his monthly card club. Eugene is survived by Delores, his wife of 60 years, and five children: Daniel (Diane) of Archbold, David (Judy) of Indianapolis, Jan (Linda) of Archbold, James (Deb) of Wauseon, and Julie (Joe) Tourney of Dallas Lake, Indiana; 21 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one sister, Beverly Wanemacher of Archbold, one brother, Reverend Gary (Carol) Bernath of Napoleon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Ruth Bernath. Services will be held on Saturday, June 27, at 11 AM at St. James Lutheran Church with Pastor James Strawn officiating. Interment will follow in St. James Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call at Short Funeral Home in Archbold from 2 - 8 PM on Friday, June 26. The family suggests memorials be given to Luther Mission Society, Hospice, Gideons, or St. James Lutheran Church.